Author's Note: I forgot to mention, this story's PG13 rating is for language. Not so much for this chapter, but other one's. Also, I want to say now that I don't have a clue who the champions were in 1998, 1999, and I'm still confused on them now. *grin* So, I made it all up. Enjoy.

NOVEMBER 1998

It was two years later, and Danielle was still working as a ring constructor. She didn't mind- she was very willing to hold her own- and the constant other small jobs kept her from getting bored. She was only hired to set-up and take apart the ring, but it paid good enough and she definitely enjoyed the extra money if she took on another job for a few weeks.

Danielle wouldn't have stayed in that job for so long if it wasn't interesting. She needed change, she needed excitement, and she was surprised to find it there. Sure, her actual job bored her to the point of insanity, but the entire backstage feel - she couldn't think of words to describe it- was amazing.

She stayed at the arena's and watched the live shows whenever she could. As a result, she'd become a friend to most of the "baby-faces", "heels", and- her favorites- the bitches. These were some of the most comical people she'd ever met, despite many of them lacking necks and having attitude problems. Attitude problems that were worse than her own.

One of her favorite people was Charles Wright, known to all of the WWF fans as "The Godfather." He was a charmer- funny as hell too- and his nightly "hoe train" was a source of constant amusement. He was one of the first wrestlers she'd met, and they had become instant friends. She would tease him before his matches, and he would brag afterwards. True to his persona's name- in a way- he was the closest to a father figure she'd ever known.

Sean Morley, what couldn't Danielle say about him? His on-screen personality of "Val Venus"- a complete ladies man- couldn't be any more like him. They were both flirts too, which made for some very interesting days and some unbelievable chemistry. They had a brief romance when she started working two years back- something that was explosive while it lasted but had quickly blown out. Now, they were nothing more that friends... no matter what everyone liked to believe.

Even with those two characters, her favorite wrestlers on-screen had to be Glen Jacobs and Mark Calloway, other wise known as Kane and The Undertaker. They were brothers on tv- friends in reality- and they both portrayed tortured souls. Very violent, extremely tall, tortured souls. It made for a good show every week.

Danielle was watching the show at that very moment, another night of WWF Raw Is War. It had just started, and she was standing with a group of people around one television. The first match was going on- she didn't know who either of the wrestlers were- and all she knew was that it was incredibly dull. She walked away from them and started toward the dressings room- she still had time to talk to The Godfather before his match.

To her surprise, she met him in the hallway talking to none other than Vince McMahon. They were heavy in discussion, and Vince was waving his arms in frustration.

"What did she do to break her arm?! We needed her for the show tonight!" Vince was really having a fit, and The Godfather looked at her and rolled his eyes.

"Really, man, it's not a problem. All she had to do was pull some guy's leg- we can find hundreds of other hoes who can do that!" He grinned and gave Danielle a big grin. "I mean, even Dani here could do it," he teased.

Danielle stopped and raised one eyebrow. "Did you just call me a hoe?" she questioned, putting one hand on her hip and giving her most intimidating stare.

Vince looked at her and shook his head, but slowly stopped. Then, he started grinning. Right then, Danielle knew something was going on. "I don't like the look in your eyes," she said curiously. "Especially after he just called me a hoe." Neither one of them said a word, they just looked at each other. Now they're really starting to freak me out, Danielle thought. "Anyone home? What's all the fuss about?"

"I just had an idea." Vince stated. She gave him a blank look- Yeah, that just cleared up everything. "Our main 'escort' this evening won't be here. She played a very crucial part- she was supposed to interfere and help win the match."

Danielle sighed. "Wonderful story, really, Mr. McMahon. Real tear-jerker."

"He wants you to fill in for my hoe," The Godfather stated bluntly. "It's not much to do- but it's more fun than you think."

"That sounded so wrong... but I'll let it slide." She laughed, and then looked at Vince. "You're seriously thinking of letting me go out there?" She paused and thought for a second. "That's a great idea! What do I have to do?" She was grinning- this sounded like fun. After all, how hard could it be to parade around as a hoe and help The Godfather cheat?

~~~~~

It was harder than she thought. Not the part where she had to help The Godfather cheat- she understood that right away and had no problems with it- but the outfit. Especially the shoes, if you could call them that.

"How am I supposed to walk in these damn things?!" she said, immediately after trying them on. They were black and had the highest heels she'd ever seen- and they expected her to balance on them? "They make me taller than both of you!" Almost, but not quite. She really didn't know how she made it to the ring that night.

The rest of the outfit didn't bother her, it was nothing that she wouldn't wear on a regular day. Well... a regular day where she dressed like a hoe in lace and velvet. All red, of course. But it did look nice- very revealing, like the other four 'escorts'- especially the skirt. In fact, after she thought about it for a while, it almost looked like someone's negligee. Definitely something to wonder about, she thought with a snicker.

Danielle was soon out waiting behind the curtain with The Godfather and his other ladies. The women looked to be a lot younger than her, even though she was only 23 years old. They were giggling and chattering on- with the occasional primping of hair- and it was really starting to annoy her.

"Bite your tongue, Dani." The Godfather grinned at her and adjusted one of his gold chains. He knew her too well- better than anyone else- and he was thinking the same thing.

She rolled her eyes. "I'd rather do other, more violent things. Don't you agree?" She gave him a crooked grin and inspected her knuckles casually.

"Save that energy for your big leg-pull, we're just about ready to go out." He walked up closer to the curtain, and his music started. "Nervous?" he asked with a grin, taking her arm and pulling her out onto the stage.

Grinning, Danielle watched him strut around and flaunt his chain and adjust the feather in his hat. "Not the least," she said, letting him twirl her around once.

They started toward the ring, and Danielle was in awe. The roar of all those people was deafening, and it made her nervous and filled her with an intense rush at the same time. The fans were screaming and so many of them had signs. She tried to read them but almost tripped, and she swore she could hear The Godfather laugh.

She could also hear the whistles as she got closer to the wrestling ring. The Godfather held the ropes for her, and -before she knew it- she was in the ring. Actually in the ring. It felt incredible, but she didn't mind when she went back outside- by the barrier. It made her nervous to be in his spotlight, and she was actually glad that they didn't wait around for The Godfather's customary 'speech.'

Once she was outside the ring with the other hoes, The Godfather's opponent came to the ring and the match began. Vince had told her to "be supportive and cheer him on," so that's what she did. Danielle hollered and cheered for him, so much so that it took her surprise when he was thrown out of the ring.

She saw his body going through the air and she ran out of the way, she couldn't believe that someone could throw The Godfather like that. He was a big man, but his opponent was strong. Soon, they were both brawling outside the ring, and the people at ringside were cheering as loud as possible.

I could definitely get used to this, Danielle thought- while faking a concerned look at him. It's so funny, how can these other people keep from laughing? She had already become adjusted to wrestling, and she knew how fake it was.

The Godfather was being pinned, and Danielle didn't hesitate. She went to the ring and grabbed one laced boot- she would always remember how that felt- and pulled the opponent away from The Godfather. Now, he got up and clotheslined the other wrestler, and Danielle cheered again. The Godfather pinned the smaller man and won, and he escorted her backstage.

It seemed deathly quiet when they got back behind the black curtains. She couldn't hear the fans much anymore, she was surprised that she could miss it already. Those fans, she thought with a grin, they're addictive.

Vince congratulated her, and she was still smiling when she got back to the woman's dressing room. Sitting on the bench, she immediately kicked her shoes off. They hit the opposite wall with a satisfying thunk.

Someone knocked on the door, and a tentative voice called out to her with a slightly teasing tone. "You're not trashing the place for celebration, are you?"

Danielle laughed and opened the door, meeting Shane McMahon's eyes. Well, at least she would've met them if he was looking at her eyes. She still had her red hoe outfit on, and he couldn't stop a smirk.

"I'm just abusing my heels- you've been warned." She let him in and he took a relaxed position on the bench. "So, what's up O-Mac? Did you bring me 76 trombones to celebrate?"

He gave her a lazy grin and studied her with dark brown eyes. "Not exactly." Danielle moved and sat down next to him. "I watched the last match," he continued, "You did an awesome job."

"Yeah, raa raa Godfather. I'm all giggles and cheers," she said sarcastically. "But, I actually enjoyed it. The fan are so loud, and I never noticed how big that arena actually is! It's so much better than watching it on tv!"

Shane laughed. "How'd you like to do it again?" She paused and gave him a disbelieving look. "I'm serious, Vince really thinks you'd do good in a match. Would you consider it?"

"Of course I would! What kind of watch, and when? How am I supposed to fight? Do I get to win?" She couldn't keep the shine out of her eyes- she'd love to be in a match, win or lose. But, she grinned, winning would definitely be sweeter.

"I'm not sure yet- I'll have to get some of the details worked out with him," Shane explained. "If you want, I can meet you tomorrow, maybe for lunch, and tell you all the details?"

He was giving her his most charming smile, and Danielle sighed. "So smooth, Shane. I almost didn't catch that double meaning there. No date." He faked a shocked look and lowered his eyebrows at her. "I'm not changing my mind," she said stubbornly. "I can just ask Vince myself."

"Fine, fine. I'll tell you anything new tomorrow morning- okay?" She nodded, and he stood up and went for the door. "Way to shoot me down, Dani. I'll see you later." And with that, he was out the door.

Danielle sighed and started to change back into her normal clothes. Shane just didn't get it- he never did. She only felt like a friend around him; nothing more, nothing less. She liked her men more aggressive anyway, with an edge, and that wasn't him either. And besides, she added to herself, his father's the owner of the entire company. It would be like a damn death wish for her- she wasn't willing to risk a good job over him.

She never did worry too much about dating. If she had some fool who wanted to buy her dinner and tell her there were stars in her eyes- more power to him. She'd enjoy the meal, have a fun time, get what she wanted out of the relationship- and then move on when it got boring. Or too serious, especially if the 'love' word got into the mix. Danielle really didn't like that word, she really didn't like the concept to begin with. And Shane, well, she could see him easily falling head over heels.

She did have a heart, and she knew it was in his best interests too if they weren't more than friends. I'd hurt him, she thought, and I don't want to be that much of a bitch to him. He deserves better.

After she was finished changing, Danielle went back to the rest of the dressing rooms to look for The Godfather. She was just walking past another plain, nameless door when someone swept him up into a bear hug from behind.

She heard a man's laughter, rich and familiar, and he swung her around in the hallway. "I've been looking for you- you little leg puller!"

Danielle let out a laugh when she realized who it was. "Very funny, Sean. You know you're jealous of my moves!" He laughed again and set her down, then turned her to face him.

"Especially your not-so-nice ones," Sean- known as Val Venus- said with a wink. She rolled her eyes and gave his shoulder a shove, but he could see she was trying not to laugh.

"Oh, just shut up!" Danielle said, now shaking her head. "Have you seen the Hoe Train conductor anywhere?"

Val laughed and raised his eyebrows. "Didn't get enough of him on tv?" She gave him the middle finger, and he cleared his throat. "Actually, he's already gone for the night. You'll have to catch him tomorrow."

She nodded and started down the hallway. "Thanks, babe," she said, continuing their flirtation. It was something they always did, probably most of the reason why people thought they were a couple. Not anymore, she thought, that bubble curst long ago.

~~~~~

I hate morning. Whoever gets up willingly before 10am should be shot and put out of their misery. Danielle yawned and slowly turned the coffee cup in her hands, contemplating going back to bed. After all, she agreed with herself, she could talk to Shane- or Vince- and The Godfather later that day. Or even tomorrow, if she wanted to. Almost on cue, she saw Shane out of the corner of her eye.

He walked over and sat next to her, smiling. Danielle looked at him and shook her head. "Morning people, you make me sick."

Laughing, he stretched one arm across the table lazily and grinned. "I love you too, Dani. I've got good news, so just drink your caffeine and listen." She looked at him curiously, and he ran one hand through his dark brown- almost black- hair. "I was talking to Vince last night, and we've thought of a little storyline you might like. Picture this," he said with a dramatic pause. "A handicap match- one side consisting of The Godfather and you." He looked at the grin on her face and continued. "Downside is that you only get one match. No more- it's a one day contract."

"So?" was Danielle's immediate reply. "It sounds great."

He gave her a disbelieving look and shook his head slightly. "You don't even want to know the details? Vince and I have it all planned out."

She took a slow drink of coffee and studied his face. "Sure, tell me everything."

"Alright," Shane said, meeting her eyes for a moment before looking around the hotel's breakfast room. So luxurious, he thought, and almost unbelievable. He had a feeling Danielle would be seeing this again. "Your match is scheduled for next Monday, if everyone agrees. Ken Shamrock- that's the guy The Godfather beat last night- is going to have a real fit over it, claiming he got cheated... with your help. So, he'll demand a handicap match, and you two will accept. It's simple really."

"And, then that's it? The whole problem is resolved?" Danielle said, it just didn't seem believable. But, this was wrestling they were talking about.

Shane gave her a serious look. "I told you, Dani, it's only one match. You're not becoming a real wrestler, it's one night and a few minutes." She looked disappointed- but she should be grateful. "Think about it, and let Vince know ASAP, okay?"

"Okay," she said softly, and he got up to leave. He was halfway across the room before she called after him.

"Shane?" He turned and gave her a bored look. "Do me and The Godfather win?"

He laughed, and he winked at her once before leaving.

~~~~~

"I could definitely get used to this! I mean, I didn't ever have to train or work out or anything!" Danielle said, leaning against the wall with the lazy arrogance of a cat. She looked over at The Godfather and grinned.

"That's because you aren't doing and actual wrestling," he said bluntly. "So, I expect some damn good motivational cheering."

Danielle laughed, but then The Godfather's music started and she froze. "Okay, here goes nothing," she whispered. They started the long to the ring, and every footstep echoed in her head. There were so many rows when she'd set up the ring, but now they were filled with screaming and chanting people. A very nice change, she added to herself.

She had no practice in wrestling, and she wasn't supposed to fight anyway. The Godfather was going to do all the work- they all knew that- while she was supposed to look pretty and cheer. Maybe do another cheat move and slap the other wrestler- which she now remembered was Ken Shamrock- because it was only a two-on-one match.

They were at the ring, and she found it much easier to get through the ropes. Danielle was wearing leather pants instead of a mini-skirt, so tonight she could actually move. Ken Shamrock was already in the ring, and he was doing the intimidating thing very well- considering that she'd just seen him backstage laughing and being... well, sane.

The match started, and Shamrock immediately tackled The Godfather. Funny, she thought, it looks more painful when you're closer. Shamrock was now kicking The Godfather in the side, and Danielle remembered what to do. She leaned in over the ropes and called out to him, grinning.

"Hey Shamrock!" she yelled. "Anyone ever tell you how to fight fair?" He turned and looked at her, and she could hear the fans behind her started to holler when he advanced on her. She feigned surprise, and he grabbed a fistful of red hair. I didn't think it would hurt this much!

He gave it a quick pull, and she opened her eyes long enough to see The Godfather standing up behind him- poised and ready to attack. Shamrock finally let go of her hair, and she had to grin again as she slapped him. Hard too, right across the cheek.

He turned away from her, and The Godfather made his move. A few strong punches and Ken Shamrock was in the corner, getting his turn at being kicked in the stomach. He slowly slid to the mat, and Danielle cheered. This was more fun than just being a pretty faced hoe outside the ring any day.

It was over too fast, but they still won. Danielle raised The Godfather's hand in victory- he would say he lifted hers- and they walked out of the ring proudly. Cheering followed them, slowly blurring but leaving an imprint in her mind forever.